An Alabama woman who left home to join the Islamic State group in Syria is not a U.S. citizen and will not be allowed to return to the United States, according to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Pompeo claimed that Hoda Muthana, who says she made a mistake in joining the group and now wants to return with her 18-month-old son, has no 'legal basis' to claim American citizenship.

Statement - US - Passport - Pompeo - Statement

He said in a brief statement that the 24-year-old does not have a U.S. passport. Pompeo's statement offered no details as to how the determination was reached.

'Ms Hoda Muthana is not a U.S. citizen and will not be admitted into the United States,' Pompeo said. 'She does not have any legal basis, no valid U.S. passport, no right to a passport nor any visa to travel to the United States.'

Statement - Contradicts - Muthana - Family - Attorney

The statement contradicts those made by Muthana and her family's attorney, who say she was born in Hackensack, New Jersey and raised in Hoover, Alabama.

Muthana, who left America four years ago to join ISIS, has previously been issued two U.S. passports - one when she was a child and another in 2014.

Muthana - Organization - United - States - Son

Muthana said she regrets aligning herself with the terrorist organization. She now wants to return to the United States with her 18-month-old son after escaping the terror group three weeks ago.

Muthana's status had been considered by lawyers from the departments of State and Justice since her case arose, according to one U.S. official.

Attorney - Woman - Family - Hassan - Shibly

An attorney for the woman's family, Hassan Shibly, said the administration's position is based on a 'complicated' interpretation of the law involving her father.

'They're claiming her dad was a diplomat when she was born, which, in fact, he wasn't,' Shibly said.